Images of Self

We're going to a zoo?  And then a national research institute?  I guess my San Diego-snobbery got in the way!  After all, San Diego has a "world famous zoo", a safari park, Seaworld, and Scripps Research Institute!

Boy, was I wrong!  I was trapped in one Way of Thinking -- that what I have is better.  I would have missed the beauty and variety of Amazonian mammals, marine life, and insects found only in this part of the world.

And, I would have missed being caught in an Amazon Rainforest downpour that  has to be experienced (at least once!).

Are there times when you feel trapped?
(Photo:  Amazon River Otter, Instituto Nacional
de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil - Larry Gardepie)

It takes these moments of resistance...and flexibility... to accept an invitation for self-reflection:

• Who am I?
  
• Who am I in relation to others?
• Who am I in relation to the world?
  

We are challenged to ask other questions as well:  What makes where we live special?  Are we any better than others?  How can we experience anew -- with wonder and excitement -- the world we haven't encountered or don't understand?

How do you see yourself?
(Photo: Zooligico do CIGS, Manaus, Brazil - Larry Gardepie)

While on this Amazonian reflective journey, I came across a quote attributed to Mother Teresa: 

 

No one in this world is pure and perfect.

If you avoid people for their mistakes,

you will be alone in this world.

So judge less and love more.

I have to admit, though, this is so difficult to live out in our polarized world where One Side won't even talk or listen to The Other!

What standards do you have for yourself and others?
(Photo credit: Facebook download)

How then do we get past our embedded ideologies?  Is it as simple as Judge Less and Love More?

So many questions this week!  What are your thoughts?  Have you found ways to engage in a diverse world where Our Snobberies are overcome, and we experience the Downpour of Love and Acceptance?

 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

 

 

 

Backstreets of Life

Every once in awhile I have flashbacks of being a teenager.  Yikes!  The newfound freedom... with "parental guidance" (or restrictions!), of course... sports idols... friendships continuing from childhood mixed with expanding social networks... and the peer pressure!  If you stood out, you WANTED to stand out as a trend setter!

Exploration was important, but was oftentimes directed by counselors, youth leaders, and the general framework of cultural norms and societal values.

Do we notice what is hidden?
(Photo: Ketchikan Alley - Larry Gardepie)

People tended to stay on the "Main Streets of Life"... what was known and acceptable for that time.  As I have traveled through my adult years, I have noticed that many tourists stay in the safe touristy locations... oftentimes overcrowding and limiting what can be done, buying the same clothing and trinkets, and coming home with similar stories.

The adventure for me right now is noticing the color and beauty of the Alleyways of Life, those hidden areas we all have where wishes, dreams, and other treasures exist.

Are we willing to explore the road less traveled?
(Photo:  Juneau Lane - Larry Gardepie)

Now don't get me wrong!  I believe that both Main Streets and Alleyways are important!  Both provide the thoroughfares and shortcuts that get us where we want to go in life.  One does not negate the other.

Rather, there is a question for us to consider:  when the time is right for us, are we willing to explore the Road Less Traveled, beautifully phrased and imaged in the Bible and Robert Frost's poem?

Can we see the beauty in different ways of living?
(Photo:  Historic Creek Street, Ketchikan - Larry Gardepie)

The Gift of Exploration opens us to new Ways of Thinking and new Ways of Being.  We return from our Self-Adventures with different perspectives to share with friends and colleagues.  Our souvenir-gathering of images, objects, and memories invites us to consider how expansive Life is and how people have changed and adapted to their surroundings.

The question is:  Can I...?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)